Is 18 old enough to drink?
The age for buying and publicly drinking alcohol is 21 in the United States. In some countries like Italy however, the drinking age is as low as 16. And in some others, there is no drinking age at all. Taken that information into account, Tanzania's drinking age is perfect based on safety and maturity.
In the United States, one concern that keeps the drinking age at 21 is safety. The main cause of death that is related to drinking is drinking and driving. But it is just as if not more likely that a 21 year old will drink and drive than an 18 year old drinking and driving. Also, under-age drinking is as common as grass or pavement. That means that when minors are drinking they are doing it in a private place with absolutely no supervision at all. This puts that person at a higher risk of dying from alcohol poisoning because they are away from sober people that will help them if they pass out or hopefully stop them before they drink that much. Setting the age at 18 would mean that minors wont have to sneak around with alcohol and put themselves and others in danger.
Another reason that the drinking age is 21 in the United States is because of maturity. People think that 18 year old's aren't responsible enough to handle the ability to purchase and drink alcohol but they are mature enough to vote, smoke, and defend our country? Also, when an individual turns 18 they are then considered a "man" by the U.S. government. If an 18 year old is a "man", then they should have the right to make all of their decisions including whether or not to drink alcohol.
I could understand why someone might say that the drinking age should be 21 in Tanzania because most violent attacks and reports of assault occur when someone is intoxicated. However, a drunk 18 year old is just as likely to assault someone then a 21 year old. For these reasons, the drinking age in Tanzania should remain 18 years of age based on safety and maturity.
In the United States, one concern that keeps the drinking age at 21 is safety. The main cause of death that is related to drinking is drinking and driving. But it is just as if not more likely that a 21 year old will drink and drive than an 18 year old drinking and driving. Also, under-age drinking is as common as grass or pavement. That means that when minors are drinking they are doing it in a private place with absolutely no supervision at all. This puts that person at a higher risk of dying from alcohol poisoning because they are away from sober people that will help them if they pass out or hopefully stop them before they drink that much. Setting the age at 18 would mean that minors wont have to sneak around with alcohol and put themselves and others in danger.
Another reason that the drinking age is 21 in the United States is because of maturity. People think that 18 year old's aren't responsible enough to handle the ability to purchase and drink alcohol but they are mature enough to vote, smoke, and defend our country? Also, when an individual turns 18 they are then considered a "man" by the U.S. government. If an 18 year old is a "man", then they should have the right to make all of their decisions including whether or not to drink alcohol.
I could understand why someone might say that the drinking age should be 21 in Tanzania because most violent attacks and reports of assault occur when someone is intoxicated. However, a drunk 18 year old is just as likely to assault someone then a 21 year old. For these reasons, the drinking age in Tanzania should remain 18 years of age based on safety and maturity.